Famous Butterfly Gardens

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Butterflies have the power to fascinate children and adults alike, with their colorful wings and amazing life cycle that metamorphoses from egg to caterpillar to cocoon to winged butterfly. The 18,000 species of butterflies worldwide are important to all ecosystems--particularly as plant pollinators. Because of the growing interest in these fragile insects and their conservation, live butterfly gardens and exhibits became popular in England in the 1970s, spreading to the U.S. and other countries soon afterward.

Australian Butterfly Sanctuary

The Australian Butterfly Sanctuary at Kuranda Village in northern Queensland is home to over 1,500 local rainforest species of butterflies. The gardens are landscaped with rainforest plants and tree canopies as well as a flowing stream and waterfalls. Visitors can walk at their own pace or take advantage of 30-minute guided tours included in the admission price. A behind the scenes tour for six or more people can be arranged for an extra fee. Australian Butterfly Sanctuary PO Box 345 Kuranda QLD 4881 Australia 011-617-4093-7575 australianbutterflies.com

Butterfly World - Florida

Butterfly World was the first butterfly house and gardens in the U.S., opened in 1988 by enthusiast Ronald Boender. The primarily outdoor park contains 10,000 live butterflies, including more than 150 species. The attraction includes a Lab Encounter room which offers visitors a close-up of the insects in all stages of growth. The park is also home to the largest free-flight hummingbird aviary in the U.S. Butterfly World 3600 W. Sample Road Coconut Creek, FL 33073 954-977-4434 butterflyworld.com

Butterfly World - UK

Britain is building the world’s largest butterfly house and gardens, which opened in 2009, and will continue construction in phases. Butterfly World was spearheaded by conservationists such as Sir David Attenborough and includes 10,000 butterflies of 250 species under a 300-foot-wide, walk-through dome. Butterfly World also plans extensive gardens and meadows to attract native British species and has education and research facilities. Butterfly World Noke Lane, Chiswell Green St Albans, Hertfordshire AL2 3NY 011-44-1727-869203 butterfly-world.org

Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, Georgia

Callaway Gardens in the U.S. state of Georgia houses the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center, a 4.5-acre enclosed tropical conservatory. The facility contains an indoor simulated rain forest with a 12-foot waterfall which accommodates tropical species and native flora plantings outside to attract local butterflies. Together, the two areas host 1,000 species of butterflies from around the world. Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center Callaway Gardens US Hwy 18 Pine Mountain, GA 31822 706-663-2281 callawaygardens.com

La Paz Wildlife Garden National Park and Wildlife Refuge

The La Paz Wildlife Garden National Park and Wildlife Refuge in Costa Rica houses one of the largest butterfly gardens in the world. The Waterfall Gardens contains 4,000 butterflies from 20 different species, most of which are native to the area. Approximately 90 percent of the butterfly species in Central America exist in Costa Rica, and the country is home to nearly 66 percent of neo-tropical butterflies and 18 percent of all global butterfly species. Guest of the park’s Peace Lodge have an opportunity to work in the Butterfly Observatory by collecting eggs, caterpillars and host plants. La Paz Wildlife Garden National Park and Wildlife Refuge Vara Blanca, Costa Rica 011-506-2482-2100 954-727-3997 waterfallgardens.com

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About the Author

Bonnie Singleton has been writing professionally since 1996. She has written for various newspapers and magazines including "The Washington Times" and "Woman's World." She also wrote for the BBC-TV news magazine "From Washington" and worked for Discovery Channel online for more than a decade. Singleton holds a master's degree in musicology from Florida State University and is a member of the American Independent Writers.